Sanitation
EVM in Sanitation Projects: Practical Guide
July 30, 2026 · 9 min read · 💧
Water and sanitation infrastructure projects have four characteristics that make EVM challenging: underground work, mandatory acceptance tests, interference with existing services, and climate sensitivity. This guide addresses each.
Numeric Example: Water Network 45,000 Homes
BAC
$22.5M
PV
$9.0M
EV
$7.7M
AC
$8.2M
CPI
0.933
SPI
0.850
CV
-$550K
SV
-$1.4M
EAC
$24.1M
VAC
-$1.6M
3 EV Measurement Methods for Sanitation
Linear meters certified
Applies to: Sewers, water mains, HDPE pipes
How: EV = certified meters / total meters × WP budget
✓ Objective and verifiable
⚠ Ignores non-linear complexity
Physical progress by budget line
Applies to: Pumping stations, treatment plants
How: EV = % complete per discipline × discipline budget
✓ Captures multi-discipline work
⚠ Requires detailed breakdown
Contract milestones
Applies to: Design-build contracts with clear gates
How: EV = milestone earned value per schedule
✓ Aligned with payment schedule
⚠ Gaps between milestones hide slippage
EVM Benchmarks by Sanitation Type
| Type | CPI ref. | SPI ref. | Risk | Key factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban water main | 0.92–1.05 | 0.88–1.02 | Medium | Existing service interference |
| Gravity sewer | 0.90–1.03 | 0.85–1.00 | Medium-high | Underground obstructions |
| WWTP | 0.88–1.02 | 0.85–1.00 | High | Equipment delivery |
| Pumping station | 0.92–1.05 | 0.90–1.02 | Medium | Electrical commissioning |
| Desalination plant | 0.85–1.00 | 0.80–0.98 | High | Membrane procurement |
| Rural sanitation | 0.90–1.05 | 0.88–1.03 | Medium | Access roads & logistics |
Implement EVM in your sanitation project